Dahlia plant named &#39;DASYTTEN&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Dahlia  plant named ‘DASYTTEN’ characterized by ray floret color (fully opened): upper side: near base, green-yellow, RHS 1 B transitioning to yellow-orange, RHS 17C; capitulum (composite flower head): 8 cm in diameter, with a large number of ray florets (about 110 to 140); foliage: mature leaves are up to 7 cm in length, mostly compound, with 3 to 5 elliptic leaflets; and plant vigor and growth habit: vigorous, grows upright and is cylindrical in shape.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE CLAIMED PLANT

Dahlia sp.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘DASYTTEN’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Dahlia plant, botanically known as Dahlia sp. of the Compositae (Asteraceae) family, hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘DASYTTEN’.

The new Dahlia cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor, Rune Harboe Nielsen, in Fyn, Denmark. The objective of the breeding program is to develop a new Dahlia variety with an upright, strong and healthy growth habit, suitable for large scale container production; fully double flowers creating globular-shaped flower head (composite flower heads with many ray florets).

The new Dahlia cultivar originated from a cross made in a controlled breeding program by the inventor in 2004 in Fyn, Odense, Denmark. The female or seed parent is the Dahlia Cav. designated ‘01.1076F Toluca’ (unpatented). The male or pollen parent is the Dahlia hortensis Guillaumin designated ‘03.1181N’ (unpatented). The new Dahlia ‘DASYTTEN’ was discovered and selected by the inventor as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in July of 2004 in a controlled environment in Fyn, Denmark.

Asexual reproduction of the new Dahlia cultivar by vegetative cuttings was first performed in February of 2005 in Fyn, Denmark, and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true to type.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘DASYTTEN’, which in combination distinguish this Dahlia as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. Ray floret color (fully opened): upper side: near base,         green-yellow, RHS 1 B transitioning to yellow-orange, RHS 17C;     -   2. Capitulum (composite flower head): 8 cm in diameter, with a         large number of ray florets (about 110 to 140);     -   3. Foliage: Mature leaves are up to 7 cm in length, mostly         compound, with 3 to 5 elliptic leaflets; and     -   4. Plant Vigor and Growth Habit: Vigorous, grows upright and is         cylindrical in shape.

Plants of the new Dahlia ‘DASYTTEN’ differ from the parental plants, Dahlia Cav. designated ‘01.1076F Toluca’ and Dahlia hortensis Guillaumin designated ‘03.1181N’ (unpatented), in the characteristics described in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Female Parent Male Parent New Cultivar ‘01.1076F Toluca’ ‘03-1181N’ Characteristic ‘DASYTTEN’ (unpatented) (unpatented) Flower Color Yellow-green to Yelloww to Orange yellow-orange yellow-orannge Capitulum About 10 cm About 11 cm About 7.5 cm Diameter: Mature Leaf Length: Up to 8 cm About 12 cm About 8 cm Plant Vigor: Vigorous Vigorous Moderately vigorous Plant Height: About 47 cm About 42 cm About 18 cm Plant Diameter: About 37 cm About 40 cm About 20 cm

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the most similar in comparison to the new Dahlia ‘DASYTTEN’ are the Dahlia sp. ‘DAFEMTEN’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,185) and Dahlia sp. ‘DA12’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,632) in the characteristics described in Table 2:

TABLE 2 Comparison Comparison ‘DAFEMTEN’ Dahlia sp. ‘DA12’ New Cultivar (patented, U.S. (patented, U.S. Characteristic ‘DASYTTEN’ PP19,185) PP19,632) Mature Ray Floret Yellow to Orange-Red Yellow-orange Red Color (upper surface): Capitulum About 8.5 cm About 8 cm About 10.25 cm Diameter: Mature Leaf Length: Up to 12 cm About 4 to 7 cm About 6 to 15 cm Plant vigor: Moderately vigorous Vigorous Vigorous Plant Height: About 14.5 cm About 16.5 cm About 42.5 cm Plant Diameter: About 17.5 cm About 19 cm About 40 cm

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Dahlia ‘DASYTTEN’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describes the color of ‘DASYTTEN’.

FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective of a typical flowering plant of ‘DASYTTEN’ in a 11 cm pot, at 13 weeks of age after planting.

FIG. 2 shows a top view perspective of a typical flowering plant of ‘DASYTTEN’ in a 11 cm pot, at 13 weeks of age after planting.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up top view of the typical foliage, as well as, a top and bottom view of a fully opened capitulum of ‘DASYTTEN’, at 13 weeks of age after planting.

FIG. 4 shows a close-up view of the detailed floral parts of a fully opened capitulum of ‘DASYTTEN’.

FIG. 5 shows a comparison view of a typical mature flowering plant of the new cultivar ‘DASYTTEN’ (top) in a 11 cm pot compared to a typical mature flowering plant of the comparison cultivar ‘DAFEMTEN’ in a 11 cm pot (bottom).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Dahlia ‘DASYTTEN’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe the new Dahlia ‘DASYTTEN’ as grown in a protected environment in a glass, greenhouse in Fyn, Odense, Denmark, under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. During propagation, conducted in a glasshouse, vegetative cuttings were planted in small propagation pots with peat as substrate, and then placed in a plastic tunnel averaging about 21° C. and received photoperiodic treatments of 18 hours. Supplementary light was given when natural light fell below 3000-4000 Lux. Rooting occurred about 12 days after planting. In third week after planting, young plants were potted in an 11 cm pot in a glasshouse maintained at 18° C. to 22° C. during the day, and at 17° C. to 19° C. during the night. Photoperiodic treatments were continued at 18 hours, and supplementary light was given when natural light fell below 3000-4000 Lux. Irrigation was done with water. The EC measured in the soil was maintained between 2.0 to 3.0. One week after potting, the first growth regulation was given: a spray with 85% daminozide, 0.2%, 40-100 ml/m². During the production time, 9 additional sprayings were given with 85% daminozide, 0.2%, 40-100 ml/m².

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), 2001 edition, except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditions at approximately 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM in Fyn, Odense, Denmark. The age of the ‘DASYTTEN’ plants described is 13 weeks (including propagation time).

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Dahlia sp. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female or seed parent.—Dahlia Cav. designated ‘01.1076F             Toluca’ (unpatented).         -   Male or pollen parent.—Dahlia hortensis Guillaumin             designated ‘03.1181N’ (unpatented). -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Vegetative cuttings.         -   Rooting description.—Fine, fibrous; may develop tubers in             late fall.         -   Height of rooting structure.—Depends on container, can grow             to about 30 to 40 cm.         -   Diameter of rooting structure.—Depends on container, can             grow to about 30 to 40 cm.         -   Color of roots.—Grayed-yellow, RHS 161D.         -   Time to initiate roots.—About 12 days at 21° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—About 28 days at 21° C.             during rooting phase, followed by 18° C.         -   Tubers.—Will form under short day conditions, 12 hours of             darkness. Tubers may develop in late fall when planted             outdoors. -   Plant:     -   -   Crop time.—After rooting, about 7 to 9 weeks are required to             produce finished flowering plants in 11-12 cm pots, provided             day-length is 18 hrs.         -   Plant vigor.—Vigorous, about 4 to 6 cm per week.         -   Form.—Cylindrical, upright and slight spreading.         -   Size.—Height (from soil level to top of plant plane): About             45 to 50 cm Spread: About 35 to 40 cm.         -   Stem.—Appearance/Shape: Circular, hollow, glabrous.             Diameter: About 6 to 11 mm. Aspect: Upright to outward.             Strength: Strong. Texture: Glaucous. Pubescence: Very             little. Color: Brown, RHS 200A on older stems, and             yellow-green, RHS 147B, on younger stems or stems exposed to             less light.         -   Lateral branches.—Quantity per plant: About 4 to 6 (when             pinching over 3 pair of leaves). Length (including             inflorescences): About 22 to 32 cm. (including break to base             of peduncle): About 12 to 14 cm. Diameter: About 6 to 11 mm.             Color: Brown, RHS 200A on older branches, and yellow-green,             RHS 147B, on younger stems or stems exposed to less light.         -   Habit.—Freely branching. Basal Branching: Yes. Pinching:             Pinching recommended. Internode length: About 1 to 5 cm.         -   Foliage.—Type: Lower leaves: Single. Upper leaves: compound,             3-5 lobed. Quantity of leaves per lateral branch: About 8             to 10. Quantity of leaflets per compound leaf: 3 to 5. Color             (leaves and leaflets): Color (mature): Upper side:             Grayed-green, RHS N189A. Under side: Grayed-green, RHS 191B.             Color (immature): Upper side: Green, RHS 139A. Under side:             RHS, RHS 139B. Venation (leaves and leaflets): Pattern:             Pinnate. Color: Upper side: Yellow green, RHS 148A. Under             side: Yellow-green, RHS 146B. Simple leaves: Arrangement:             Opposite, decussate. Length: About 4 to 8 cm. Width: About 2             to 8 cm. Shape: Ovate, cuspidate tip, rounded to cordate             base. Margin: Dentate. Texture (both sides): Rugose.             Petiole: Shape: Semi circular, with deep furrow on adaxial             side. Length: About 2 to 7 cm. Diameter: About 3 to 6 mm.             Color: Upper side: Brown, RHS 200B. Under side:             Yellow-green, RHS 147B. Compound Leaves: Arrangement and             shape: Opposite, decussate. Length: Up to 18 cm. Width: Up             to 22 cm. Shape: Ovate, cuspidate tip, rounded to cordate             base. Margin: Dentate. Texture (both sides): Rugose.             Petiole: Shape: Semi circular. Length: About 2 to 7 cm.             Diameter: About 3 to 6 mm. Color: Upper side: Brown, RHS             200B. Under side: Yellow-green, RHS 147B. Leaflets of             Compound Leaf: Terminal: Quantity: 1. Length: About 11 cm.             Width: About 6.5 cm. Rachis: Length: About 5 cm. Diameter:             About 3 to 5 mm. Color: Upper side: Brown, RHS 200B. Under             side: Yellow-green, RHS 147B. Lateral: Quantity: About 2             to 4. Length: About 12 cm. Width: About 6 cm. -   Flowering description:     -   -   Natural flowering season.—Grown outside as a bedding plant,             flowering occurs continuously during growing season from             spring to autumn/ (In Denmark, from June to beginning of             October). Plants can be brought to flower anytime when grown             under the recommended greenhouse conditions.         -   Time to first flower.—About 7 to 9 weeks from potting of a             rooted cutting.         -   Longevity of individual blooms on plant.—Depending on             weather conditions, about 6 to 10 days.         -   Fragrance.—None. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Type.—Capitulum (composite flower head).         -   Arrangement.—Persistent, single, composite inflorescences             from leaf axils. Disk and ray florets arranged acropetally             on a capitulum.         -   Flowering aspect.—Upright, slightly spreading. Young flower             head/buds initially 10° to 90° turning to 0° to 30° when             flower head opens.         -   Quantity of flowers and buds per lateral branch.—About 3             open capitulum and 6 buds.         -   Fragrance.—None.         -   Bud.—Quantity: Up to 6 per lateral stem (buds continue to             develop when the dead composite flower heads are removed).             Rate of Opening: About 2 to 5 buds per week. About 4 to 10             days for bud to progress from first color to fully opened             inflorescence. Shape: Globular. Length (when color shows):             About 1.2 to 1.5 cm Diameter (when color shows): About 1.5             to 2.0 cm Texture: Glabrous, shining. Color: Yellow-green,             RHS 144A.         -   Peduncle.—Length: About 10 to 18 cm. Diameter: About 3 to             4 mm. Strength: Moderately strong. Aspect (angle to             vertical): First flower: About 0° to 10°. Second flower:             About 20° to 30°. Texture: Glabrous Color: Mature: Brown,             RHS 200B; Immature: Yellow-green, RHS 146B.         -   Inflorescence.—Inflorescence depth (height): About 5 to             6 cm. Inflorescence diameter: About 10 cm. Disk diameter:             About 8.5 cm. Receptacle diameter: About 10 mm. Receptacle             height: About 4 to 6 mm.         -   Ray florets.—Arrangement: Imbricate, in about 9 to 14 whorls             of ray florets, each with 9 to 11 florets to equal a total             of about 110-140 ray florets per capitulum, depending on             light and temperature conditions. Overall shape: Obovate,             involute with a rounded tip. Apex shape: Obtuse. Base shape:             Acuminate, fused to form tube. Length: About 30 to 40 mm.             Diameter (width): About 20 to 28 mm. Margin: Entire.             Texture: Upper and under surfaces: Glabrous. Orientation:             Initially 10° from vertical, with development, to 70° from             vertical. Color: Development and tones of color for florets             may change slightly depending on light and temperature             conditions When opening: Upper surface: Near base,             green-yellow, RHS 1 A, transitioning to yellow-orange, RHS             23A, at tip. Under surface: Near base, green-yellow, RHS 1             A, transitioning to grayed-orange, RHS N163C, at tip. When             fully opened: Upper surface: Near base, green-yellow, RHS 1             B, transitioning to yellow-orange, RHS 17C, at tip. Under             surface: Near base, green-yellow, RHS 1 B, transitioning to             yellow-orange, RHS 22A, at tip.         -   Disk florets.—Arrangement: Massed at center of capitulum,             about 40-70 disk florets per capitulum, which are             yellow-orange RHS 14A in color. Appearance: Tubular to             single, fused corolla. Overall shape: Tubular. Apex shape:             Star with 5 triangular tips. Base shape: Fused to tube.             Length: About 8 to 9 mm. Diameter: About 1 to 1.5 mm.             Margin: Entire. Texture (both surfaces): Glabrous,             translucent. Color: Transparent, yellow-orange, RHS 14A.         -   Phyllaries.—Quantity: One subtending each floret. About 110             to 140 phyllaries per capitulum. Overall shape: Thin             translucent, papery. Phyllaries, arranged acropetally on the             capitulum. Overall shape: Rounded. Apex shape: Acute with             rounded tip. Base shape: Fused. Length: About 6 to 10 mm.             Width: About 4 to 6 mm. Margin: Entire. Color: Mature:             Yellow-green, RHS 151 B. Immature: Primarily yellow-green,             RHS 151D, to green, RHS 144A, near base.         -   Bracts.—Quantity: About 5 to 7. Appearance and arrangement:             Reflexed, involucral bracts. Overall shape: Subulate. Apex             shape: Acute. Base shape: Sessile. Length: About 10 to             18 mm. Width: About 6 to 8 mm. Margin: Entire. Texture (both             sides): Glabrous. Color: Mature: Upper side: Green, RHS             137A. Under side: Primarily, yellow-green, RHS 151D, to             yellow-green, RHS 144A, near base. Immature: Upper side:             Green, RHS 137A. Under side: Green, RHS 137A. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Androecium.—         -   Stamen.—Number: 5, fused into synandrous tube around style.             Disk florets fertile, ray florets sterile. Length: About 8             to 10 mm.         -   Anther.—Shape: Tubular. Length: About 5 to 6 mm. Color:             Yellow-orange, RHS 20A.         -   Pollen.—Amount: Scarce. Color: Yellow-orange, RHS 23A.         -   Gynoecium.—         -   Pistil.—Quantity: One per disk floret. Length: About 8 to 9             mm.         -   Stigma.—Shape: Bifurcate. Length: About 1 to 2 mm. Color:             Yellow-orange, RHS 20A.         -   Style.—Length: About 4 to 7 mm. Color: Yellow-orange, RHS             20D.         -   Ovary.—Shape: Globular Diameter: About 1 mm. Color:             Yellow-green, RHS 151D. -   Seed/fruit: None observed. -   Disease/pest resistance: Resistance to pathogens and pests common to     Dahlia has not been observed. -   Disease/pest susceptibility: Susceptibility to pathogens and pests     common to Dahlia has not been observed. -   Temperature tolerance: Tolerant to a low temperature of about 2° C.     (but flowering ceases at constant temperature below 12° C.) and     tolerant to a high temperature of about 35° C. Optimum flowering     occurs only between 12° C. and 30° C. High temperatures might reduce     flowering. -   Growth regulators: Daminozide (85% water soluble dry concentrate     formulation). 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Dahlia plant named ‘DASYTTEN’, as described and illustrated herein. 